Transport Secretary drops in to FTA’s Love Logistics event

Last night the great and the good of the logistics industry gathered at FTA’s Love Logistics Parliamentary Reception at the Cinnamon Club in Westminster to celebrate the logistics industry once again successfully delivering Christmas.

Those in attendance included Traffic Commissioners, Rt Hon MPs and key figureheads from across the transport industry. The Secretary of State for Transport, Phillip Hammond MP, also spent time talking with FTA’s Chief Executive Theo de Pencier and its President Stewart Oades.

de Pencier said:

“At a busy time of year, FTA were delighted that the Transport Secretary took the time to meet with FTA. We had a lively discussion and FTA gave him plenty to think about on various issues, but top of our agenda was how the sector is managing to deliver Christmas despite severe weather conditions and how the government can help it in its efforts.”

At no other time of the year does the logistics sector work harder than during the Christmas period: parcel volumes increase by 40 per cent, over 2 billion greetings cards are delivered, our shelves are kept stocked with food and drink, and then when it’s all over, it is responsible for removing what amounts to around ten per cent of the UK’s average annual household waste – no easy task in bad weather conditions.

de Pencier concluded:

“Of course, it is not just Christmas that the logistics sector delivers and it is hoped that through the Love Logistics campaign we can help foster greater pride in an industry with which the UK not only leads the way but without which modern society simply wouldn’t exist.”